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R2: SSS 5th Wheel
Starting Space: 42Rolled a "5"
Current Space: 47
Read a book that is a 4th, 7th, or 47nd in a series.
Alternative Read: purchased
Mod
. It's my FWYS series so I will go with this one Book 7 of Lucky Harbor by Jill Shalvis.
Ezinwanyi~still loves Spartacus wrote: "I am either reading If It Drives or It Had to Be YouBoth are Book 7's."
You already have If It Drives?!
*looks at Ezi with little envy*
Mod
Both are Book 7's."
You already have If It Drives?!
..."
yes, for about 2 weeks now. But I promised to wait to read with Armi for a BR. It's on Netgalley...as is the Hostile Grounds book
Oh my God folks! I am so, so sorry! It's been a hellishly busy week and I completely forgot to post today! I hope it's not to late to get the pass back.Here's my review:
Space 42 (2nd in series option)
Book: The Big Nowhere by James Ellroy (#2 in the LA Quartet)
Read: 3-20-13
Rating: Five stars
Review:
The year is 1950, the Zoot Suit riots have everyone edgy and the Red Scare is proving to be both a threat and a political opportunity for those who are willing to exploit it. There are three plot lines that eventually intertwine through the course of the novel. A new character, Danny Upshaw, an LA Sheriff's deputy, is investigating a particularly gory murder that man or may not have homosexual overtones. Mal Considine, and LAPD lieutenant becomes embroiled in what is essentially a political Communist witch hunt, in the hopes that he can win custody of his stepson away from his abusive mother. Corrupt and brutal Buzz Meeks is working as a heavy-hitter for crime boss Mickey Cohen and moonlighting as a procurer for Howard Hughes.
While it's not a sequel per se to The Black Dahlia, the book does reintroduce some of the same characters. Mal Considine, Buzz Meeks, Ellis Loew and Dudley Smith were introduced in The Black Dahlia. As with the first installment of this series, none of the characters are completely clean or their motives entirely pure. The language is gritty. Ellroy does a good job of applying the rough, offensive-the-21st-century-eye language of the period.
Ellroy's a great storyteller. His novels are absorbing, and his characters more interesting for being deeply flawed.
Again, I'm terribly sorry for being so late.
Mod
3rd day in a row the kids insisted on watching Frozen. I wish my kids would "Let It Go"
Marty wrote: "Oh my God folks! I am so, so sorry! It's been a hellishly busy week and I completely forgot to post today! I hope it's not to late to get the pass back.Here's my review:
Space 42 (2nd in serie..."
It seems it has been a crazy week for all of us :)
Mod
Space 47
Book: The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn
Read: 22-Mar-2014
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
This was a third book from the series and we can hear the story between Hugh Prentice and Sarah Pleinsworth. Hugh was the man who challenged Sarah's cousin Daniel in a duel that resulted in Hugh's injured leg and Daniel's exile. After all these years Hugh still feels responsible for what happened can't forgive himself.
Sarah is Daniel's cousin who couldn't attend her first Season in London because of that duel and she feels resentful to Hugh. The book starts with their mutual dislike that eventually turns over to friendship and later love.
The book was as all the books from the series quite entertaining to read and it should be interesting to read Iris' book when it comes out.
Mod
This was my first series by julia quinn and I was really impressed with it. I will try another series from her
Space 47 (4th in series option)Book: Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear (4th in the Maisie Dobbs series)
Read: 3-22-13
Rating: Five stars
Review:
Another of my favorite series which just gets better and better. In this episode, Maisie's back hard at work with her detective assignment despite having suffered a nervous breakdown in the last installment. She's hired by a wealthy journalist, Georgina Bassington-Hope, to investigate her twin brother Nick's death. Georgina refuses to believe his fall from his artist's scaffold was an accident, despite the police findings and her family's insistence that she give up this crusade.
What Maisie uncovers about Nick and his activities leading up to his death are beyond complicated. Not only was he obsessively devoted to the truth in his art (to the point of putting real people's faces on the figures in his paintings), but also to saving works of European art threatened by the unrest on the continent. He, like her first love, Simon, was in World War I. He was haunted by what he saw there and was beginning exorcise his mental demons through painting. A major work, referred to as 'the triptych' has gone missing since his death, possibly because it contained controversial content.
To make matters more complicated, there's the matter of a gambling obsessed younger brother who in debt to some very nasty underworld characters, illegal smuggling activities, government and local law enforcement who are vying to be the first to break the ring, and the illicit romance between her employer and the wealthy married American art collector Randolph Bradley. Despite all these distractions, Maisie eventually discovers the truth behind the tangled threads of her investigation, but it comes with a painful cost to the Bassington-Hope family.
Maisie's also struggling with her stalled courtship with Dr. Andrew Dene, a man who's company she enjoys, but whom she just isn't willing to give up her career for. Then too is the tragic case of her assistant Billy Beale's youngest child who contracts a life-threatening illness, one that infects her brothers and sisters as well.
It sounds like Winspear's going to take this into WWII. She's already mentioned Hitler and introduced Oswald Mosley into the mix. I wonder whether Maisie's due to be embroiled in international espionage.
Mod
yes, if that's okay. I am 60% into my book but I am not enjoying it as much as the other books in the series. I am fighting the need to put it down and go watch an episode of Spartacus or something.
I will push on, and hopefully finish in the couple of hours:(
Ezinwanyi~still loves Spartacus wrote: "yes, if that's okay. I am 60% into my book but I am not enjoying it as much as the other books in the series. I am fighting the need to put it down and g..."No problem, let me know when I can post the roll. :)
Mod
Mod
Book: It Had to Be You (Lucky HarborBook 7) by Jill Shalvis.
Finished: March 22
Rating & Review:★★★3/4
Something about the series is starting to feel repetitive, so it's not as enjoyable as when I first started.
In this installment, Ali Winters, is smarting from her breakup with her cheating boyfriend Teddy when the Landlord of her townhouse arrives and wants the place back. See cheating Teddy neglected to tell Ali that he didn't renew their lease, now Ali has to find a new place to live.
Luke Hanover is taking a break from his job as a detective the the SFPD due to a bad ending with an investigation. He needed a vacation to regroup because his guilt over the case was eating him alive. Finding Ali still in his place was not part of the alone time he had in mind.
With no place to go, Luke kind of lets Ali stay as she tries to find her own place, but her ex boyfriend Teddy accuses her of theft, saying she must have taken the fundraiser money to get back at him.
Soon Ali is trying to clear her name.
Luke didn't want to get involved but his attraction to Ali won't let him just stand by and watch her struggle, so begins the all-too familiar dance the recent Lucky Harbor books took to get to the HEA.
I liked Ali and Luke but I didn't love it. Luke and his moody thing got old for me. I wish my town had a facebook page where people posted the latest gossip, because that's my favorite parts of these books. They are so nosy with their matchmaking old ladies. Ali and Luke had a great banter, so I guess I did like the book just fine.
Mod
Starting space: 47I rolled a 3.
New Space: 50
Alternative: Author J
I'll decide on my book later today.
Ezinwanyi~still loves Spartacus wrote: "Gea,This was my first series by julia quinn and I was really impressed with it. I will try another series from her"
Same with me, I have Bridgertons on my TBR but haven't gotten to them yet.
Mod
Wow. I will go with "0" which is a standalone option.
In fact, I will do the standalone The Tin Box by Kim Fielding
Mod
Ezinwanyi~still loves Spartacus wrote: "Thanks for the roll Marty"Sure thing. I was going to roll right at midnight CT but I fell asleep with the laptop on my lap! The annual book bazaar kicked my butt.
Since 0 is a standalone option, I'll read: The Ghost of the Mary Celeste by Valerie Martin. I don't have too many 5th in series options that appeal at this time.
Space 50 (Stand alone option)Book: The Ghost of the Mary Celeste by Valerie Martin
Read: 3-24-14
Rating: Five stars
Review:
In 1872 Captain Benjamin Briggs, his wife Sarah and their baby daughter Sophy set sail on the Mary Celeste on what is to be a routine trip to deliver raw alcohol to Genoa, Italy. A month later, she was found abandoned, with one lifeboat missing. The family and crew were never found.
In Martin's story, the Mary Celeste's strange fate has a life altering effect on four different people, directly or indirectly. Sarah Briggs and her younger sister Hannah are no strangers to seafaring disasters. They have lately lost a brother and sister-in-law to a stormy ocean, a event that eerily foretells Sarah's eventual fate. Sarah main concern revolves around Hannah's seeming instability - after all, Hannah claims that the dead speak to her. On a happier note, Sarah and her cousin Benjamin Briggs are falling in love. Does Hannah foresee their tragedy? She doesn't say, only weeps when Sarah announces her engagement.
Arthur Conan-Doyle, not yet 'Sir,' is an impoverished young doctor heading to Africa, when a chance conversation with the captain of his ship leads to a discussion of the 'ghost ship' Mary Celeste. This is the inspiration for on of his early literary efforts, "J. Habakuk Jephson’s Statement," published anonymously in the journal Cahill. While the story horrifies the remaining members of Sarah and Benjamin Briggs' family, it proves to be the catalyst for Conan-Doyle's successful writing career.
Enter Violet Petra, a mysterious young medium, who makes her living contacting the spirits to aid her wealthy patrons. It's an unstable existence - she is passed from family to family, like a once-prized possession whose owner has tired of it. She comes into contact with a young journalist, Phoebe Grant, who initially has been sent to debunk Violet's psychic claims, but who eventually comes to regard the lonely woman as a kindred spirit (no pun intended). Both women have known hardship and poverty; both have been thrust into the world to make their way as best they can. That Violet is really Hannah, grown up, is pretty obvious from the time she's introduced. The question remains: is she a fraud, a madwoman or a true clairvoyant?
Does Martin eventually weave all these characters together in a way that might satisfactorily provide a possible answer to the Mary Celeste conundrum? It doesn't matter. The sense of realism in each scene and the humor she injects into Violet's dealings with her patrons in particular is engaging enough. Besides, the best mysteries are often those that are never solved, but remain left to the imagination.
Mod
Book (Standalone): The Tin Box by Kim Fielding
Finished: March 25
Rating & Review: 3.5stars
In this book, soon to be divorced student William Lyons went to work on his thesis at Jelley’s Valley State Insane Asylum famous in the early 1900s. While he was doing that, he was trying to figure out whom he really was because the past 6 years in a heterosexual marriage was a disaster. After his wife forced him to admit his attraction to men, William had to see if he was ready to live an honest life.
In the same town, he met Colby Anderson, an openly gay man, and their friendship allowed William to explore his sexuality and come to grips with his conflicted feelings about this "lifestyle" as his mother called it. In a tin box inside the mental institution were letters written by a patient named Bill to his lover Johnny, and William was able to see the strength of love between two men in 1938.
William asks Colby to help him figure out what happened to Bill, and Bill & Johnny's story helped William as he redefined his identity and also feel in love with Colby.
I'm not sure what I was aspecting in this book, but I was more moved by Bill and Johnny than William & Colby. Colby and William are prime examples of the strength or self loathing can develop based on your family acceptance or rejection of your sexuality. I am glad Colby helped William to loosen up and find joy again. It was a cute story.
Space 50
Book: More Than Words by Karla Doyle
Read: 26-Mar-2014
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
This was a quick, enjoyable read from a new to me author. The book was everything I expected from this publisher and it didn't disappoint me. It was a bit weird at beginning when they met on internet and when Travis went looking for Calli but it got better later.
Mod
I can definitely say I won't be up at midnight. I am exhausted. If I haven't rolled by 12:05am, then assume I am getting studying the back of my eyelids:D
Feel free to roll for the team
Mod
Mod
Current Space: 61
Read book that is 1st, 6th or 61st in series.
Alternate Read: Location: South America
Book Choices:
☑Ezi: Special Delivery (Special Delivery, Book 1) Post 303
☑ Gea: The Abduction of Julia (Rogues, Book 1) Post 301
☑Marty: The Pleasure of Eliza Lynch: A Novel (Alternate Read--Location: Paraguay) Post 302
PRIOR WEEK BOOKS (view spoiler)
I changed the book I was reading as there was no time to read the one I intented to read first. You didn't change it :P
Mod
Sorry, i didn't notice, but I have changed it now. LOL!
Mod
Mod
Starting Space: 50
14th Roll: "6"
Current Space: 56
Read book that is 5th, 6th or 56th in series.
Alternate Read: Author "F"
Mod
May I read
book 6.5 in Dark Protector?
iI'll try the Author option this time: Fat White Vampire Blues by Andrew Fox. This is actually part of a series as well.
Space 56
Book: Last Hit by Jessica Clare, Jen Frederick
Read: 29-Mar-2014
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
At first I was wary about this book as I usually don't like books about hired assasins but this one was a pleasant surprise. Nikolai was very likeable hero but I didn't like Daisy very much. Daniel and Vasily were both intriguing characters and it will be fun reading their books as well.
Mod
Book: Try by Ella Frank (Alternate Read)
Finished: March 29
Rating & Review: ★★★★
Logan was a self-confident player and he gets any woman or man what he wants--now he has set his sights on Tate, who is going through a divorce. Tate is kinda flattered but not really interested right now, after all, he is heterosexual, right?
I would have given this book a 5 but if you take out the copious amounts of sex, this book will be half the pages. This story was really good but the sex was entirely too much.
Mod
Okie doke. I'm still reading my book. I should be done soon.
Space 56 (Alternative option: Author F)Book: Fat White Vampire Blues by Andrew Fox
Read: 3-29-14
Rating: Four stars
Review:
Jules Duchon is not your conventional vampire. For starters, he's 450 pounds and drives a taxi cab in New Orleans. He also doesn't belong to a clan. Forget elegant Dracula or alluring Lestat, he's more like a Jabba the Hut with a blood habit and very bad knees. He feeds on those who are overweight and eat a mostly fried-in-lard diet, which explains his own girth.
Unfortunately, he gets called out by the new kid in town, the so-called Malice X, a gang-banger-turned-Nosferatu with an attitude. Malice X demands that Jules cease feeding on African-Americans or else he and his 'army' will end his undead existence. This is a big problem, since Jules thinks that his black victims are far tastier than their white counterparts. He also doesn't have the well-organized and unending supplies of 'blood donors' that higher class New Orleans vampires have at their disposal.
Desperate, he reunites with Maureen, the vamp who turned him. Maureen, who works as a stripper, has her own major weight issues. The last thing she really wants is to deal with Jules, who reminds her all to clearly of her own physical issues. Nevertheless, she agrees to help him out. Another reunion occurs between Jules and his own protegee, Doodlebug, with whom he had a falling out after Doodlebug became a transvestite and left for California to study with Tibetan monks.
Funny? You bet. There are sly references to Anne Rice and the whole New Orleans vampire craze. Fox, a native of New Orleans, does a great job describing the French Quarter and the less savory areas of the city. What kept this from being five stars for me was the pacing. It dragged a bit in spots and sometimes the humor could be a bit heavy (no pun intended).
I'm up so I went ahead and rolled for us all.Starting Space: 56
Roll: "5"
Current Space: 61
So we're looking at reading a #61, #6 or a #1 in a series.
Location: South America
I'm going choose the alternative and read The Pleasure of Eliza Lynch: A Novel by Anne Enright - it takes place in Paraguay.
I'll go with 1st in series but don't know which one yet - there's too many to choose from :D
Mod
(Reluctant Heroes, book 1)
Mod
Thank you for rolling this morning!!
The Challenge Factory
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I know. i pm'd her at 6am this morning and she hasn't checked in on GR since 3/18. so she hasn't even been on here